Electrical issue when starting

[milesofmike]

I have a 1963 JD 1010 crawler.

It's having an issue where I can turn the key to start it, the starter acts likes it's going to engage, then immediately stops.

1. If I turn the key again, nothing happens.
2. If I disconnect the battery and reconnect it, I can repeat the issue.
3. If I jump directly from the battery positive terminal to the starter battery connection, it will spin the starter normally when I turn the key.
4. When the issue occurs, the lights turn off and don't come back on until I "reset" the battery like in #2.
5. After the issue, I still read 12+ volts at the starter battery terminal and the "B" connection on the ignition switch.

Is this a bad ignition switch?

I have the ignition switch out and I have it wired as such:
I: Ignition coil
L: Lights
S: Starter solenoid
B: Battery positive (via the starter terminal to the battery) <-- is this correct? Or should it be going through a resistor?

[Jim B]

Could be a bad cable. Watch the voltage at the starter solenoid terminal when trying to start. Even a bad cable can pass enough power to give a voltmeter reading, but not supply a real load.

[milesofmike]

Thank you, would this explain why it doesn't do anything after the first attempt, but does after remaking the battery connection?

[Jim B]

moving the cable is making contact again, temporarily and very light, not capable of carrying the current needed. Bad spot could be in the terminal or the cable. It is possible the battery has an internal break at the post. Do voltage drop tests.